【題名 / Title】 : Knowledge is a Polyglot: Japan and China in the Global Competition for Terminologies

【要旨 / Abstract】Hundreds of Japanese loanwords comprising brands, ideas, and concepts -from sumo, bushido, and Zen, over kimono, origami, and sushi, to karaoke, koi, and kamikaze- have found their way into the English language. By comparison, Chinese loanwords in the English are still relatively few. Following the spirit of HANEDA Masashi's proposal for a 'New World History' this lecture will discuss how the Japanese language became a global application for transmitting Japan's originality and inventiveness in the world. We will contrast this with past German and English forceful 'language imperialism', how US-Anglophone publishers are still discriminating against Asian words [this is going to change], and how recent national movements such as Abe's ‘Cool Japan!’, Xi's ‘Chinese Dream’, and Modi's ‘New India' all aim at creating a more diverse, authentic, and accurate history narrative. Capitalism has taught us to compete for natural resources, market shares, and human capital. But nations should also competefor their terminologies. The 21st Century is going to witness tens of thousands of non-Western words enriching the future global language.